The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

EU expects country to implement migrant accord

EU relations with Turkey have long been strained over its human rights record but the situation has deteriorated.

EU-Turkey relations have suffered in the run-up to a crunch referendum

"We remain committed to the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement ... this is an engagement of mutual trust and delivery and we expect that both sides will comply with their commitments," Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu threatened Wednesday to scrap the March 2016 agreement as Ankara blasted Germany and the Netherlands with vicious Nazi jibes for preventing Turkish ministers attending rallies and criticising its rights record.

"We can stop (the deal) unilaterally ... From now on, we can say 'we will not apply it and it will be over'," Cavusoglu said in a 24 TV interview.

ADVERTISEMENT

Under the accord, Turkey cracked down on massive migrant flows, mainly of Syrians fleeing the country's bloody conflict, in exchange for some 3.0 billion euros in aid, visa free travel and the speeding up of Ankara's long stalled EU accession talks.

But Cavusoglu said there had been no progress on visa-free travel and Ankara accordingly had stopped taking back migrants who had made it to the Greek islands, a key element of the deal.

"Right now we are not implementing the readmission agreement as there is no visa-free travel," he said.

EU relations with Turkey have long been strained over its human rights record but the situation has deteriorated badly since a failed July coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In response, Erdogan launched a massive crackdown and is campaigning for increased powers in a referendum next month which has only strained ties further.

ADVERTISEMENT

He sent ministers to Europe to canvas for a yes vote at rallies of Turkish migrants, notably in the Netherlands and Germany, causing dismay in both countries.

Erdogan has repeatedly accused the Netherlands and Germany of behaving like "Nazis" and said Wednesday the "spirit of fascism" was running rampant in Europe.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT